0254-6124/2022/42(4)-0824-06 Chin. J. Space Sci.       空间科学学报

LIU Jing, YANG Xu, CHENG Haowen, JIANG Hai, ZHANG Yao, WANG Yueer. Progress of China’s Space Debris Research.  Chinese Journal of
Space Science,  2022, 42(4): 824-829.  DOI:10.11728/cjss2022.04.yg26

Progress of China’s Space Debris Research

1,2 1 1 1
LIU Jing      YANG Xu      CHENG Haowen      JIANG Hai
1 1
ZHANG Yao      WANG Yueer
1(National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101)

2(School of Astronomy and Space Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190)

Abstract    China  has  continually  worked  on  space  debris  research,  complying  with  the  White  Paper  “ China’s
Space Program: A 2021 Perspective”. This paper aims to clarify China’s research and application progress from
2020 to 2021 in space debris observation, prediction, protection, and mitigation. In this context, it also summarizes
the space debris mitigation efforts made by the Chinese government and provides the expectation of future direc-
tion for the work.
Key words    Space debris, Observation, Prediction, Protection, Mitigation
Classified index   V57           

1　Introduction
Space debris has become a serious threat to space safety,
and  the  rising  population  of  space  debris  poses  a  great
challenge to  long-term  sustainability  of  outer  space   ac-
tivities. With the vigorous implementation of large con-
stellation  projects,  the  possibility  of  collision  between
space objects has increased dramatically, and the occur-
rence  of  catastrophic  events  such  as  collisions  and
break-ups has become an actual existence. Space debris
issue has become the hot topic of international scientific
research and the focus of the long-term sustainability of
outer space activities.
It  is  of  great  significance  to  ensure  space  safety,
maintain the  long-term  sustainability  of  outer  space   ac-
tivities,  and  maintain  the  development  of  human  space
by  maintaining  the  dynamic  catalog  of  space  debris
through long-term continuous observation of large space
domain; and improving the prediction accuracy of space
debris for accurately grasping for giving timely and pre-
cise warning of its threats to space activities and ground
personnel and assets; and studying the means and meth-
Received June 29, 2022
E-mail: liujing@bao.ac.cn
ods of active debris removal or the environment remedi-
ation to curb increasing trend of space debris population.
The  year  2020 to  2021 is  the  final  year  of  China’s
13th  Five-Year  Plan  and  the  planning  year  of  its  14th
Five-Year  Plan.  The  White  Paper  “ China’s Space   Pro-
[1]
gram: A 2021 Perspective” , issued by China National
Space Administration (CNSA) in January 2022, concise-
ly  generalized  and  summarized  China’s  progress  in
space debris research in chapter 7 “Space Environment
Governance”   of  the  second  part:  With  a  growing  data-
base, China’s space debris monitoring system is becom-
ing  more  capable  of  collision  warning  and  space  event
perception  and  response,  effectively  ensuring  the  safety
of on-orbit spacecraft. In compliance with the Space De-
bris  Mitigation  Guidelines  and  the  Guidelines  for  the
Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, Chi-
na  has  applied  upper  stage  passivation  to  all  its  carrier
rockets  and  completed  end  of  life  active  deorbit  of  the
Tiangong-2 and other spacecraft, making a positive con-
tribution to mitigating space debris.
This article briefly introduced the progress of Chi-
na’s space debris research in the past two years from the
LIU Jing et al.: Progress of China’s Space Debris Research
aspects  of  observation  and  prediction,  protection  and
mitigation, national  mitigation  effort,  and   standardiza-
tion.
 
2　Promotion of the Observation
and Prediction Capability
Comprehensive awareness of space debris, accurate pre-
diction of situation and status, and effective disposal ca-
pability  are  the  basis  for  dealing  with  the  problem  of
space  debris.  Space  debris  orbit  is  affected  by  various
perturbations forces  with  great  uncertainty.   Strengthen-
ing capability of surveillance facilities and increasing the
observation  frequency  are  effective  means  to  improve
the  orbit  data  accuracy  of  space  debris.  In  recent  years,
China  has  developped  its  observation  capacity  building
of space debris. A set of telescopes are deployed, and the
distribution  of  the  space  debris  observation  network  is
continuously  optimized.  The  1.2  m  aperture  large  field
of view telescope has been preliminarily completed with
its  first  image,  which  is  carrying  out  optimization  and
debugging of space debris and near-Earth asteroid obser-
vation.  The  Xinglong  60  cm  aperture  telescope  (see
Fig.1)  for  both  space  debris  and  asteroid  observation,
has been put into operation and participated in the inter-
national joint observation campaign of near-Earth aster-
oids  organized  by  the  International  Asteroid  Warning
Network  (IAWN).  The  36  cm  test  telescope  array  (see
Fig.2) has  been  put  into  operation  with  wide-field   sur-
vey  and  synthetic  tracking;  the  construction  of  Multi-
Application  Sky  Survey  Telescope  Array  (MASTA)
project  can  improve  the  observation  ability  of  faint  and
small  space  debris.  The  network  of  the  Asia  Pacific
Fig. 1    YaoLight telescope and the Xinglong 60 cm diameter telescope
825
Space Science Observatory (APSSO) is under joint con-
struction, and will enhance observation and research ca-
pabilities  for  space  debris  and  near-Earth  asteroid,  and
serve for research on space science and time domain as-
tronomy for Member States of Asia-Pacific Space Coop-
eration Organization (APSCO).
To  effectively  avoid  the  collision  of  space  debris
and timely respond to space debris related events, the ac-
curacy of the collision avoidance assessment model and
[2]
the  algorithm  has  been  improved , and  a  new   genera-
tion  of  highly  automated  and  efficient  data  processing
and collision risk assessment system supported by a uni-
[3,4]
fied database has been built . The space events analy-
sis models were improved and the analysis and research
for space events, including the upper stage reentry analy-
sis,  satellite  anomaly  analysis,  rocket  body  and  satellite
breakup analysis, were carried out.
China  continuously  improves  the  level  of  re-entry
joint observation and prediction, actively participates in
the  joint  re-entry  prediction  campaign  organized  by
Space  Debris  Coordination  Committee  (IADC),  and
shares relevant data and information.
To serve the research on the long-term sustainabili-
ty  of  outer  space  activities,  the  space  debris  long-term
evolution model SOLEM was continuously improved by
increasing  calculation  efficiency,  expanding  application
scope, and  conducting  the  research  on  long-term   envi-
ronmental evolution  model  comparison  under  the   influ-
[5]
ence  of  various  natural  and  human  space  activities
with IADC member agencies. The simulation study has
been  done  on  the  impact  of  LEO  large  constellation  on
space  environment,  and  the  results  can  support  Chinese
government  in  formulating  LEO  satellite  management
826
Fig. 2    36 cm test telescope array
measures. Also, the model was used to analyze the rank-
[6]
ing  of  potentially  dangerous  space  debris , which   pro-
vided  a  technical  basis  for  the  planning  and  design  of
ADR in the future.
The  new  space  debris  environment  engineering
[7]
model  SDEEM  2019   has  been  developed,  and  the
work on revising standards for space debris models has
been  completed  cooperated  with  international  scholars
under  the  framework  of  the  International  Organization
for Standardization (ISO).
 
3　Development and Application of
Protection and Mitigation
It is an effective way that design space debris protection
methods to deal with the impact threat of the long-dura-
tion  operating  spacecraft  among  the  environment  of
small space debris and micro-meteoroid. The optimized
design  model  for  typical  protective  structures  and  the
space  debris  protection  design  system,  which  are  deve-
loped with the support of the China National Space Ad-
Chin. J. Space Sci. 　空间科学学报 　2022, 42(4)
ministration, have been applied to the manned space sta-
tions after continuous improvement and accumulation of
[8]
experiments .
The basic work of protection design has been sup-
ported. At present, the ground hypervelocity impact test
facility  has  achieved  the  stable  launch  velocity  of
–1[9]
8 km·s ,  and  obtained  the  hypervelocity  impact  cha-
racteristic  data  of  various  materials  at  the  speed  of
–1[10]
8–10 km·s . The data has been continuously accumu-
lated  and  provided  basic  technical  data  for  spacecraft
protection design  and  impact  effect  evaluation  of   com-
ponents and structural materials.
It  has  continuously  supported  and  carried  out  the
study on impact vulnerability assessment to promote the
refined  protection  design  of  spacecraft.  The  spacecraft
survivability assessment calculation has been preliminar-
ily realized by studying the spacecraft impact sensitivity
[11]
assessment technology , vulnerability assessment tech-
[12]
nology  of  key  components , and  survivability   assess-
[13]
ment technology of spacecraft systems .
An engineering-oriented design and evaluation sys-
LIU Jing et al.: Progress of China’s Space Debris Research
tem for  space  debris  mitigation  was  developed  to   sup-
port  space  debris  mitigation.  Some  ground  verification
and  on-orbit  technology  validation  of  drag-enhancing
[14]
de-orbit technologies  have been carried out to routine-
ly  implement  the  work  of  LEO  de-orbit  in  the  future.
Debris removal is an effective way to curb the growth of
space debris,  and  various  means  of  space  debris   re-
moval have been explored and verified, laying a founda-
tion for expanded application in the future.
 
4　National Effort on Space
Debris Mitigation
It  promotes  the  long-term  sustainability  of  outer  space
activities that  China  has  actively  participated  in   reach-
ing a consensus on the long-term sustainability of outer
space  activities  under  the  UN  framework  (e.g.,  joining
the Space  Debris  Expert  Group,  EGB),  and  also   con-
tributed  to  the  unanimous  adoption  of  the  first  set  of
21 UN LTS guidelines for the long-term sustainability of
outer space activities.
Meanwhile,  cooperation  mechanisms,  such  as  the
Space Debris Working Group of the China-Russia space
cooperation  subcommittee  and  the  China-US  expert
seminar  on  space  debris  and  space  flight  safety,  will
strengthen  communication  in  the  fields  of  space  debris
and the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
China  has  actively  participated  in  joint  research,  test,
comparison, and other technical work to support the ac-
tivities  of  international  organizations,  such  as  the  Inter-
agency  Space  Debris  Coordination  Committee  (IADC)
and the  Consultative  Committee  for  Space  Data   Sys-
tems (CCSDS).
It promotes the implementation of the space debris
mitigation  guidelines  and  effectively  supervises  space
activities  that  China  has  published  the  guidelines  “ No-
tice on  Promoting  the  Orderly  Development  of   Mi-
[15]
crosatellites and Strengthening Safety Management” ,
which  defined  the  further  requirements  for  collision
avoidance and  mitigation  of  space  debris  to   microsatel-
lites. For example, Necessary measures should be taken
for the design and manufacture of microsatellites so that
their bodies can be detected on the ground during the on-
orbit  phase;  Microsatellites  shall  have  certain  collision
avoidance  and  orbit  control  capability.  When  deployed
827
in  network  or  constellation,  technical  measures  shall  be
taken  to  avoid  a  collision;  Microsatellites  should  have
the necessary  capabilities  to  facilitate  the   implementa-
tion  of  de-orbit  action,  avoid  long-term  occupation  of
common  orbit,  and  the  adopted  de-orbit  technology
should be  mature  and  reliable;  After  the  end,   termina-
tion or expiration of the mission, the orbit dwell time of
microsatellites with an operating orbit height of no more
than 2000 km shall be less than 25 years, and microsatel-
lites  with  an  operating  orbit  height  of  more  than
2000 km shall  actively  enter  the  grave  orbit  or   uncom-
mon  orbit;  Necessary  technical  measures  shall  be  taken
for  microsatellites  to  avoid  the  generation  of  separable
debris  in  orbit,  including  falling  off,  discarding,  and
throwing;  Avoid  explosion  and  other  breakup  events  of
energy storage components such as fuel storage tank and
[15]
battery  .
CNSA has incorporated the review of space debris
elements  into  the  space  launch  project  license  review
procedure. It is necessary to review space debris mitiga-
tion measures for spacecraft and launch vehicles before
launch, including taking measures to avoid launch vehi-
cle and  satellite  breakups,  avoiding  generating  new   de-
bris,  avoiding  collision  during  the  on-orbit  operation
phase, carrying out passivation and de-orbit measures at
the end of the mission, and meeting the 25 years require-
ments of the LEO orbital life.
5　Promotion and Development
of Standardization
Chinese government’s regulatory requirements for space
debris mitigation are top-level documents, which need to
be supported by relevant implementation rules, manage-
ment standards,  and  technical  standards  to  facilitate   en-
forcement. Subcommittee 5 on Space debris of National
Technical  Committee  425 on  Space  Technology  and
Operation  of  Standardization  Administration  of  China
(SAC/TC425/SC5)  was  approved  to  be  established  in
August 2020.
Space  debris  subcommittee  has  proposed  a  space
debris standard system, which consists of four branches:
foundation and management, observation and awareness,
mitigation and protection, and space traffic management
(see Fig.3). The preliminary demonstration includes a to-
828 Chin. J. Space Sci. 　空间科学学报 　2022, 42(4)
 

Foundation Basic standard

and
management General management requirement

Model and method

Observation
and awareness Equipment and network

Data and application

China national space debris
standard system
Space debris mitigation
Mitigation and
protection Space debris protection

Space debris removal

General

Space traffic Operation

management

Information

 
Fig. 3    Space debris standard system

tal  of  68 standards.  At  present,  10 standards  have  been
issued or approved for preparation under the framework
system.
The  published  standards  include  Requirements  for
post-mission disposal of GEO satellites, Design require-
ments for residual propellant venting of a launch vehicle,
Space debris  mitigation  requirements,  Estimating   meth-
ods  for  the  mass  of  remaining  propellant  of  spacecraft,
Design requirements for mitigation of operational debris
of launch vehicle, Design requirements for residual pro-
pellant  venting  of  Spacecraft.  The  standards  under
preparation include  Space  Object  Registration   Require-
ments, Space Objects Observation Data Standard, Space
object orbital  data  standards,  and  Detailed  disposal   re-
quirements  for  launch  vehicle  orbital  stages.  A  new
round of standard collection in 2022 is underway. In the
future, China’s space debris management and space de-
bris environmental  governance  will  be  steadily   promot-
ed with  the  support  of  these  gradually  completed   stan-
dards.
6　Vision of the Future
In view of the current situation of numerous and rapidly
growing  space  debris  and  the  frequent  occurrence  of
space  events,  China’s vast  space  debris  research   insti-
tutes and  application  departments  will  focus  on   search-
ing  and  tracking  centimeter-sized  small  debris,  multi-
band,  and  multi-dimensional  detection  of  space  debris,
and  conduct  in-depth  research  in  accurate  prediction  of
high  uncertainty  debris,  responding  to  high-precision
sensing and  time-sensitive  space  events,  life-span   pro-
tection of  spacecraft  and  space  debris  mitigation   mea-
sures,  and  new  efficient  and  low-cost  removal  methods
and applications.
At  the  same  time,  China  will  expand  bilateral  and
multilateral cooperation mechanisms with a more active
and open attitude, conduct extensive international space
exchanges  and  cooperation  under  the  UN  framework,
take  an  active  part  in  the  formulation  of  international
outer space rules, and jointly address the challenges fac-
ing  the  long-term  sustainable  development  of  outer
space  activities.  China  will  also  actively  participate  in
international discussions and mechanism building in the
field of space environment governance. We will active-
ly carry  out  cooperation  in  space  environment   gover-
nance,  and  improve  the  effectiveness  of  space  crisis
[1]
management and comprehensive management .
LIU Jing et al.: Progress of China’s Space Debris Research 829

References 2021, 21(2): 1-9
[9] ZHANG Pinliang, GONG Zizheng, TIAN Dongbo, et al.
 

[1] The State Council the People’s Republic of China. 2021 China’s
 

Study  on  debris  cloud  and  damage  characterization  of  Whipple

Aerospace[EB/OL].  (2022-01-28).  http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/ –1
shield at impact velocity of 8 km·s [J].  Space Debris Research,
2022-01/28/content_5670920.htm 2020, 20(3): 37-42
[2] SHEN Dan, YANG Xu, WU Xiangbin, et al.   Confidence
 

[10] WANG Mafa, ZHOU Zhixuan, HUANG Jie, et al.  Experi-

 

level of collision probability for space debris with Chebyshev in- ment on crater characteristics of aluminium targets impacted by
equality[J].  Journal of Space Science, 2017, 37(4): 448-454 magnesium  projectiles  at  velocities  of  about  10 km/s[J].   Explo-
[3] GAN Q B, ZHAO K X, LIU J. Initial value selection for initial
 

sion and Shock Waves, 2021, 41(5): 67-75

orbit determination ff short arc optical data[C]//The 11th Nation- [11] HU D Q, CHI R Q, LIU Y Y, et al. Sensitivity analysis of space-
 

al Space Debris Academic Conference. Hainan, 2022 craft in micrometeoroids and orbital debris environment based on
[4] ZHANG Y. Research on Key Issues of Space Debris Cataloging
 

panel  method[J].  Defence Technology,  2021.  DOI:  10.1016/j.dt.

Management[D]. Beijing: University of the Chinese Academy of 2021.11.001
Sciences, 2022 [12] ZHENG S G, YAN J, GONG W W.   Hypervelocity  impact
 

[5] SHEN  D.  Study  on  the  confidence  level  of  early  warning  of
 

failure modes of typical spacecraft components[J].  Space Inter-
space  debris  collision  and  the  influencing  factors  of  long-term national, 2022(4): 29-32
evolution  modeling[D].  Beijing:  University  of  the  Chinese [13] HU Diqi, PANG Baojun, CHI Runqiang, et al.  Survivabil-
 

Academy of Sciences, 2020 ity  assessment  of  spacecraft  impacted  by  orbit  debris[J].   De-
[6] MCKNIGHT D, WITNER R, LETIZIA F, et al.  Identify-
 

fence Technology, 2021, 17(3): 961-970
ing  the  50 statistically-most-concerning  derelict  objects  in [14] LIU J, JIANG H, YANG X, et al.  Space debris research pro-
 

LEO[J].  Acta Astronautica, 2021, 181: 282-291 gress  of  China[J].   Journal of Space Science,  2020,  40(5):  956-
[7] PANG  B  J.  Space  debris  environment  engineering  model
 

961
SDEEM 2019[EB/OL]. [2022-08-03]. https://www.eventi.polimi. [15] State Administration of Science. Technology and industry for na-
 

it/events/space-debris-environment-engineering-model-sdeem- tional  defense,  notice  on  promoting  the  orderly  development  of
2019/ microsatellites  and  strengthening  safety  management[EB/OL].
[8] YAN Jun, ZHENG Shigui, YU Wei, et al.  Space debris pro-
 

[2021-05-19]. http://www.sastind.gov.cn/n157/c6812015/content.
tection  design  for  the  space  station[J].   Space Debris Research, html